ACC All Access: Virginia backup defensive tackle Chris Brathwaite is no longer enrolled at the school

Norm Wood

Defensive tackle Chris Brathwaite, who could’ve been in line for a starting job next season at Virginia, is no longer a member of the football program, according to a release from U.Va.’s athletic department.

Brathwaite, a 6-foot-1, 270-pound native of Brooklyn, N.Y. who just finished his sophomore season, has been ruled ineligible and isn’t currently enrolled at U.Va. In the release, coach Mike London left open the possibility of Brathwaite returning to the program.

“I am disappointed that Chris did not make the commitment he needed to succeed off of the football field,” London said. “If the time comes where he can return to U.Va., and rejoin the team, he must do so with great enthusiasm for the things that we expect and require of our student-athletes.”

Brathwaite played in all 12 games for U.Va., which finished 4-8. Though he wasn’t a starter, he led the team’s defensive tackles with 41 tackles. He also led the team in both tackles for loss with 10 and sacks with 3 1/2.

With Lafayette High product defensive tackle Will Hill graduating from U.Va., a starting job on the line is going to be up for grabs when spring practices begin.

Brathwaite figured to compete with returning starter Brent Urban and fellow reserves Justin Renfrow and David Dean for starting roles on new defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta’s line. Tenuta’s aggressive style could’ve been perfect for Brathwaite, who was an active, pocket-pushing defensive tackle.